Fig. 4.

Sunlight caused changes in mitochondrial polarization in Plasmodium falciparum only after 48 h. No change was seen in the mitochondrial polarization of mixed-stage parasites (a) or synchronized late-stage parasites (b) exposed to sunlight for 1 h and maintained in the dark for the remainder of 24 h, compared to control parasites kept in the dark. After a second exposure to solar radiation, mixed-stage parasites showed an apparent increase in mitochondrial polarization at 48 h, compared to parasites maintained in the dark (c). Statistical comparisons were not significant (ns) or significant at P < 0.01 (double asterisk). n = 2 for (a) and (b); n = 4 for (c)